Closed system liquid transfer apparatus with pressure-sensitive shut-off

ABSTRACT

A vented tank has a receptacle fitting at its fill port that mates with a nozzle on the end of a supply hose. Both the receptacle fitting and the nozzle have normally closed valves which open in response to mating of the two parts. The nozzle fitting is equipped with a normally closed snap acting valve which is cocked open during the filling operation and snaps closed in response to abrupt rise in back pressure in the receptacle fitting. The receptacle fitting is equipped with a float valve which closes to cause the abrupt rise in back pressure as the tank fills.

United States Patent Calisher et al.

[451 May 16, 1972 [72] Inventors: Jay V. Callsher, Montebello; Ross E. Burblck, Bellflower, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: E. B. Wiggins, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.

[22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1969 [21] Appl. No.2 872,146

[52] I U.S.CI .;....l41/198,137/432, 137/461,

v 141/349 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b l/30, 1365b 3/26, 867d 5/372 [58] Field of Search ..l41/192-229, 346-362, 141/302; 137/432, 461

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1539,1210 5/1925 Gore .....1 41 /216 2,504,450 4/1950 Rhodes 1 37/432 X 3,033,246 5/1962 Civerolo 3,076,486 2/ 1963 Abbey et al ..141/2l5 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney-Paul A. Weilein [57] ABSTRACT A vented tank has a receptacle fitting at its .fill port that mates with a nozzle on the end of a supply hose. Both the receptacle fitting and the nozzle have normally closed valves which open in response to mating of the two parts. The nozzle fitting is equipped with a normally closed snap acting valve which is cocked'open during the filling operation and snaps closed in response to abrupt rise in back pressure in the receptacle fitting. The receptacle fitting is equipped with a float valve which closes to cause the abrupt rise in back pressure as the tank fills.

Patented May 16, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wm R? new W $5- m N E 0 y 7 W05 w m: 4 o w Y 3 mm &@ 3 0% 5 3 Mm; 3- I! II] M X g Q m m 5 w & m 3 m m CLOSEDSYSTEM LIQUID TRANSFER APPARATUS WITH PRESSURE-SENSITIVE SHUT-OFF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to apparatus for closed system liquid transfer between a source and a-tank. The tank may be the fuel tank of a-helicopter, other aircraft, or the tank of road building equipment or other fuel consuming vehicle needing a rapid resupply of uncontaminated liquids.

Fire and liquid contamination are constant hazards in the transfer of fuels and other liquids and more particularly in highly volatile fuels. Present refueling apparatuses permit volatile vapor to escape,'endangering the equipment. Contamination enters during fuel-transfer due to line openings and tank openings. In both military and commercial usage a rapid transfer of fuel from a supply to the storage tankis desiredto save equipment down time, manpower, and wages. High pressure transfer lines are used to expedite the actual flow. However, conventional equipment requires an attendant to maintain the supply nozzle within the delivery tube of the tank and the time-consuming topping off to insure that the fuel level does not overflow the tank during the last stagesof filling; In military usage it is presently necessary even in combat zones to shut off the motors of helicopters being refueled because the dust caused by the whirling blades enters the fuel system. In addition, escaping vapor from the fuel supply is likely to ignite as it is drawn upwardly around the hot exhaust of the operating engines by the blade motion.

The inventive apparatus for closed system refueling overcomes the hazards of fire and contamination and provides quickly connected and disconnected components which are self-sustaining during connection and which shut ofi automatically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention contemplates apparatus for closed system liquid transfer comprising a quickly connecting and disconnecting liquid supply nozzle and a like tank nozzle receptacle fitting in the tank fill port, each with a self-closing valve which opens when the nozzle .and'receiver are joined. Meanslock the nozzle and receiver together in leakproof fashion. A shut-off valve in the nozzle controls nozzle flow. A spring-loaded latch holds the valve open subject to a finger control to release the latch manually. A fitting valve body communicates with the tank interior. Valve opening'means on the valve body and on the nozzle open the self-closing valveson coupling-for liquid flow from the nozzle through the valve body into the tank. Fluid actuated pressure sensitive means on the nozzle linked to the shut-off valve latch respond to increased pressurewhen a float valve closes the discharge end ofthe receptacle fitting valve body.

Preferably, the discharge end comprises anelbow with a vertical extent containing a diverter-wall adjacentradial outlet ports on the vertical extent of the elbow. A float-operated sleeve valve surrounds the vertical extent and rises as the liquid level rises to cover the outlet ports and close. ofijflow from the valve body. A substantially axial fluid passage extends from the tank through the valve body, the self-closing valves, and the noule to the fluid-actuated pressure sensitive means. Preferably, the passage is confined within the valve body and the nozzle barrel.

The apparatus defined above obviates fire andcontamination hazards by eliminating vapor escape both during, prior to and after refueling and prevents dust, dirt, and other contaminants from entering the vehicle tank. Helicopters may thus refuel with the motors running. In commercialusage such as road building equipment the vapor and the contamination hazards also may be avoided by the closed system fuel transfer apparatus of the invention. The'receptaclefitting of the invention adapts to placement at the tops of tanks, but since .the nozzleand receptacle fitting join such that the nozzle is selfsupporting, the attendant is notzburdened with supporting the nozzle at a high elevation.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide apparatus which establishes a closed fueling system wherein vapor leakage-andcontaminationare eliminated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such apparatus having a nouleand a receptacle fitting, each with a seIf-closingvalve to-eliminate vapor and liquid loss and contamination upon disconnecting the two system components.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a nozzle and a receptacle fitting in which connection one to the other automatically opens the self-closing valves to provide a liquid path from the nozzle to the receptacle fitting.

A further object of the 'inventionis to provide closed system liquid transfer apparatus wherein the liquid controlled float closes the delivery end of the receptacle fitting valve body upon the liquid level in the tank reaching a certain desired level such that the back pressuremay be sensed to-automatically close the supply nozzle responsive to the pressure imposed upon the receptacle fitting valve body.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a nozzle compatible with a self-closing receptacle'fitting wherein the shut-off valve of the nozzle has a latch which may be manually overcome or be overcome responsive to a pressure increase in the receptacle fitting.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a closed system for refueling wherein amanual control of the shut-off valve may be actuated to open the valve, where manual movement of a simple plunger closes the shut-off valve, and automatic fluid-actuated pressure-sensitive means related to the tank liquid level closes the valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide means adapting the receptacle fitting for cooperation with a conventional fuel nozzle in the absence of the complemental nozzle of the invention.

The apparatus of the invention thus provides quick-disconnect closed system liquid transfer apparatus wherein no vapor or liquid loss occurs during the connecting, disconnecting, or liquid transfer stages, wherein the flow of liquid automatically terminates upon the liquid level reaching a certain stage in the tank, and wherein no contaminants may. enter the system either during the liquid transfer or prior to or after disconnecting the nozzle and the receptacle fitting of the apparatus.

These and other advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description and drawings, wherein likeparts have been given like reference characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONOF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section showing the association of a vented tank, the nozzle receiver, and the 'nozzleof the invention, prior to joining of the nozzle and the receiver;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the nozzle and receptacle fitting joined together in condition for liquid transfer;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section to a larger scale of the uncoupled nozzleand nozzle receptacle fitting of the invention;

FIG. 4 is'a transverse fragmentary section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 5-5 of I FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a plan view partly in section of the manual control in open position; and FIG. 11 isafragrnentary elevation similarto FIG. 9 showing the manual control in open position. i

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a tank with a vent 12 and with a fill opening 14 equipped with a receptacle fitting 15. FIG. 1 further shows a nozzle generally designated 16 on the end of a flexible supply hose 18. In FIGS. 1 and 3 the nozzle is separated from the receptacle fitting and FIG. 2 shows how the nozzle and receptacle fitting mate for a filling operation.

The principal parts of the illustrated structure include: a cylindrical valve body 20 inside the receptacle fitting 15 which houses a normally closed valve member 22; an elbow 24 on the downstream side of the valve member; a float valve generally designated 25 incorporated in the elbow structure, the float valve having radial outlet ports 26 that are normally opened but are closed by a float-actuated sleeve valve generally designated 28; means including a longitudinal movable lock sleeve 30 on the nozzle 16 to releasably connect the nozzle to the valve body 20 in the receptacle fitting 15; a sleeve valve 32 incorporated in the nozzle 16 and normally held in closed position by a spring 34, the sleeve valve of the nozzle and the valve member 22 of the receptacle fitting both being shifted to their open positions in response to mating of the nozzle with the receptacle fitting; a normally closed shutoff valve incorporated in the nozzle structure, the shut-off valve including a poppet valve member 35 that has an axial extension 36 and is biased to closed position by a spring 38; manually operable means including a T-shaped handle 40 and a pair of cams 42 and 44 to shift the poppet valve member to open position in opposition to the spring 38; a latch generally designated 45 that automatically engages the axial extension 36 of the poppet valve member when the poppet valve member is manually shifted to its open position; and a fluidactuated pressure sensitive means generally designated 46 to release the latch in response to abrupt rise in back pressure, the back pressure being transmitted to a sensing chamber 48 of the fluid-pressure responsive means through an axial fluid passage 50in the nozzle structure.

STRUCTURAL DETAILS Both the nozzle and the receptacle fitting have means for excluding dirt and other contaminants when they are uncoupled. A dust cap 52 depends from a line 53 secured to a rear wall 55 of the receptacle fitting 15. The cap has a resilient gasket 56 which seals against the outer annulus 58 of the fitting when the cap is in place to close off the receptacle fitting. The line 53 stores in the space between an outer cylinder 61 of the fitting and the valve body 20.

A nozzle plug 63 depends from a line 64 affixed to the bottom portion of nozzle 16. The plug closes the nozzle exit when placed into the end of a nozzle barrel extension 66 which is threadably engaged with the nozzle barrel 67.

The barrel extension contains sleeve valve 32 and is surrounded by lock sleeve 30. The lock sleeve is movable axially in response to manual manipulation of a lanyard 71 secured to a collar 72 of the sleeve.

The nozzle barrel 67 supports the fluid-actuated pressure sensing unit 46. A barrel flange 74 is joined to a flange 75 of a shut-off valve chamber 77 of the nozzle. The valve chamber has a cam housing 78 extending axially remote from the nozzle discharge end. A hose coupling 79 extends from the valve chamber at an angle to the axis to the nozzle and receives supply hose 18.

In FIG. 1 the nozzle 16 is disassociated from the receptacle fitting 15 of the partially filled tank 10. In FIG. 2 the nozzle and receptacle fitting are joined and in condition for liquid transfer between a source (not shown) and the tank. In FIG. 3 the nozzle is shown disconnected from the receptacle fitting of a filled tank whose fluid level is indicated by the broken line 80.

Nozzle 16 has three interconnected inner chambers: a valve chamber 81 near discharge end of the nozzle, a latch chamber 82 in line with the pressure sensing unit 46, and the shut-off valve chamber 77.

Latch chamber 82 is partially divided by a support web 85. Chamber 81 is contained in threaded barrel extension 66 engaged with the internal threads of an enlarged collar 91 of the nozzle barrel. A webbed support member 92 is held in the chamber 81 by barrel extension 66. A central boss 94 of the support member is internally threaded. A substantially conical valve head 95 is supported from the boss. The valve head has a stem 95' threadedly engaged with the boss and further extending upstream of the boss to be sealably received by a conduit 97 which is seated and sealed at its upstream end in latch chamber web 85. At its downstream end the valve head 95 threadedly engages a valve face 96. The valve face comprises a flange 98 and a threaded shank 99. The flange bears against and secures an O-ring 101 on the outer periphery of the valve head.

The valve head resides within the reciprocating valve sleeve 32 and is axially fixed. An O-ring 103 seals the sleeve valve within barrel extension 66.

As can be seen from FIG. 2 sleeve valve 32 has a valve port defined by an annular wall 105 which terminates in a conical annulus 106 against which the valve head flange fits. The flange face has a diametrical groove 108 whose function will be discussed later.

The sleeve valve is biased into closed orientation with respect to the fixed valve head by a compression spring 34. The compression spring seats at one end against web support member 92 and at the other end against an inner wall 112 of the sleeve valve. The fluid passage 50 extends axially through the valve face into the hollow interior 113 of the valve head. The passage continues through the valve head stem 95 and the conduit 97 into a small web cavity 115 to connect with a pressure chamber which extends through the sensing unit 46 to a lateral 117 connecting to the sensing chamber 48 of the sensing unit.

Chamber 48 is defined by the inner walls of four sensing unit case components: case top 119, which is skirted, anchor ring 121, diaphragm base ring 122, and case base 123. The case base has a depending boss seated in an aperture 126 of the nozzle barrel. The components of the case are conventionally sealed by suitable gaskets.

The sensing unit contains a movable wall 130 movably suspended within the chamber by dual diaphragms 131, 132 which are secured by the anchor and base rings 121, 122 of the sensing unit case. A compression spring 135 thrusts against the movable wall, biasing it away from the central axis of the nozzle.

Within valving chamber 77 is the nozzle valve 35. The valve is mounted to an elongate valve stem 136 to which valve extension 36 is threadably attached. The valve stem is supported within a spider 141 secured by web 142 within the valve chamber. The compression spring 38 biases the valve toward closure against a conical port surface 146. In FIG. 3 the valve is in closed position against that surface. The valve has a resilient sealing member 147.

Valve extension 36 has a downstream shank 149 with a latch tip 151 of reduced diameter. The reduction in diameter of tip 151 results in a latch shoulder 152. The latch shoulder cooperates with the latching assembly 45 which is mechanically linked to the movable wall 130 of the sensing unit. Assembly 45 comprises a stirrup 155 which surrounds the valve stem tip, a pair of contacting roll pins 156, 157 which traverse the stirrup and alternately contact reduced portions 149 and 151 of the valve extension. Washers 159 secured to the exterior of the stirrup by screws 161 overlap a portion of the outer face of the pins and thus retain them within the stirrup.

An upper and a lower guide shaft 164, 165, respectively, are journalled in opposite sides of the barrel wall of the noule. Upper shaft 164 is sealed by an O-ring 167 where it passes through the boss 125 in sensing chamber 48. Lower shaft is sealed by an O-ring 169 to preclude leakage from chamber 82 outwardly through a barrel boss 171 which guides shaft 165. Upper guide shaft 164 has a threaded shank 173 which receives a nut 174 which binds the movable wall to the upper shaft. The shank extends through the nut to a manually operable button 176 which protrudes exteriorly of the sensing unit case.

Since the latch pins are linked to the movable wall it can be seen that the spring 135 can be overcome either by manually depressing button 176 or by movement of wall 130 against the spring. The cross axis motion of latch stirrup 155 thus engendered accomplishes the latching and unlatching of shut-off valve 35. t

It has been previously stated that manual means are provided for opening valve 35. The valve is biased against opening not only bycompression spring 38, but by the considerable pressure of the liquid delivered tothe nozzle. Therefore, force multiplying means is desirable to assist the operator to open the shut-ofi' valve. An outward boss 78 housing cam 42 has a sealing gland 178 which seals against leakage from chamber 77 about valve stem 136. The valve stem extends outwardly beyond the boss through first and second cams 42, 44. The first cam 42 has a threaded shank 179 engaged internally with the boss. A pin 181 further secures the cam within the boss against rotation. Second cam 44 is rotatably mounted on stem 136 and has a handle boss 182 from which arms 183, 184 of T- handle 40 protrude. An internally threaded collar 185 retains the second cam on the valve stem. The collar may be additionally locked to the stem by a pin 186.

Cam 42 has an intermediate flange 191 against which a compression spring 192 bears. A cylindrical shroud 193 surrounds the spring and rides on boss 78. The shroud has a lip 196 against which the spring bears. Therefore, as second cam 44 is displaced axially outwardly, spring 192 urges the shroud outwardly to shield the spring and the cams against dirt.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the apparatus whereby mechanical leverage is used to overcome the spring and liquid pressure against the shut-off valve. FIG. 9 illustrates the closed valve position of the cams. First cam 42 being fixed with respect to both rotary and axial motion, cannot move as T-handle 40 is turned. Instead, the second cam 44 rotates about valve stem 136. The cam has a lobe with a helical cam face 201. The lobe of the second cam has a matching cam face 202 of helical configuration. The first cam face has a point 204 of greatest extension. The second cam face has a point 206 of greatest extension. As the T-handle is turned the second cam lobe face bears against the matching faceof the first cam lobe and point 206 traverses the helical face of the first cam lobe until it reaches point 204. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate this condition, when the rotation of the second cam has resulted in outward axial extension of the T-handle and the valve stem. During this outward migration the shroud 193 moves along boss 78 under the thrust of spring 192. The shroud thus continues to cover and protect both the spring and the cam lobes.

The mechanical force applied to the handle has been multiplied through the relatively great motion of the handle compared to the axial displacement of the cam lobe and the valve 35. Valve 35 is thus opened as shown in FIG..2. The valve extension 36 is also axially displaced and latch stirrup 155 is urged upwardly by spring 135 against the reduced diameter of latch tip 151. Roll pin 156, (as best seen in FIG. 5) lodges against shoulder 152, precluding premature closing of the valve.

Liquid is free to flow through chambers 77 and 82 past web 85, but is stopped from leaving the nozzle by valve head 95, which only opens upon connection of the nozzle to the receptacle fitting. Connection is accomplished by inserting the nozzle into cylinder 61 of the fitting about the outer periphery of valve body 20. The body is threadably engaged in a threaded collar 211 of fitting back wall 55. An O-ring 213 seals the joint of the body and the collar. The collar extends inwardly and downwardly in the tank in elbow 24. The elbow has a vertical downward extension 217 which is pierced at its top in the radial outlet ports 26 which open the elbow to the tank interior.

A support ring 219 rests upon cotter pins 220 at the bottom of the vertical extension. The pins extend through the wall of the extension and an inner sleeve 221 which extends upwardly in the extension to support a conical 'diverter 223 below the outlet ports.

The elbow 24 is closable by float valve 25 when the liquid level within the tank reaches a predetermined height to cause the back pressure signal sensed by unit 46. A first sleeve valve 225 reciprocates on the outer periphery of extension 217 between support ring 219 and the outlet ports. A plurality of float members 227 fixed to the exterior of the sleeve valve provide flotation to raise the sleeve valve as the liquid level increases.

In order to make the closing of the filler ports in response to increase in liquid level as sure as possible, float valve 25 also includes a second sleeve valve 231 disposed about the first sleeve valve such that it may reciprocate vertically and close the ports 26. In the open position of FIG. 2 the second sleeve rests upon the tops of the float members 227 of the first sleeve valve. Float rings 232 are fixed about the second sleeve valve and thrust upwardly against a top annulus 234 of the second valve sleeve. Sleeve valve 231 is operable independently to close the' filler ports should the first sleeve valve fail. If the flotation apparatus of the second sleeve valve fails, the first sleeve valve carries the second upwardly on its migration to the top of the vertical extentof the elbow.

The top annulus234 has an inner lip 236 which registers against a reduced peripheral section 237 of the elbow when the float rises to closed position, as shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3 the nozzle has been withdrawn from the receptacle fitting and the valves of the nozzle and fitting are closed. The fitting valve in valve body 20 has a valve head 241 residing in the inlet valve annuli 242, 243. The valve head has a cylindrical periphery 244 and a frusto-conical periphery 245 which seats against the flared portion of the port. A valve stem support member 251 is located against a retainer ring 252 at the downstream end of the valve body. The support member has an outer annulus 254 and webs 255 extending from the annulus to a central hub 257 with a bore 258 therein. The bore is axially aligned with the center line of the valve body and mounts a valve stem 261 of valve head 241 for reciprocation along the axis of the receiver. A compression spring 262 opposes the opening of the valve.

The fitting valve head has a flat nose 264 adapted to abut the flat face of valve head flange 98. A nose ring 267 of the valve body has a flat face 268 which abuts the sleeve valve 32 of the nozzle when the nozzle and receptacle fitting are joined. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the nozzle valve head displaces the fitting valve head inwardly away from the port surfaces 242, 243 such that the valve is open for flow through the body into the elbow and tank. At the same time, the fitting nose ring stops against the sleeve valve 32 of the nozzle and the sleeve valve is displaced from the nozzle valve head such that valve chamber 81 is open for flow from the nozzle into thevalve body. Retainer ring 252 of the valve has an opening 271 through which liquid flows into the elbow. The diameter of opening 271 can be altered by changing retainer rings to meter the maximum flow of liquid into the tank. The retainer ring therefore also acts as a metering device. Those tanks of fabric or limited strength can thereby be protected against excessive liquid flow.

The nozzle is preferably locked in place on the receiver so that no operator is necessary during the filling of the tank. In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein the lock means utilizes latch dogs such as those as shown in previous patents to E. B. Wiggins, US. Pat. No. 2,409,650 dated Oct. 22, 1946 entitled COUPLING, and US. Pat. No. 2,425,500 dated Aug. 12, 1947 entitled VALVED COUPLING.

As shown in FIG. 3 a plurality of latch dogs 275 are pivotally mounted in slots of nozzle barrel extension 66. The lock sleeve 30 encases the dog latches in an annular cam cavity 281 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The cavity is defined in part by a transverse wall 282 of an internal rib 283. The rib also confines the compression spring 284 which abuts at its other end against the outer face of nozzle collar 91. Cavity 281 has a cylindrical wall 285 connecting to an inwardly tapered wall 286 which merges into a second cylindrical wall 287 of lesser diameter and finally emerges in an outwardly tapering wall 288 at the end of the lock sleeve.

Each dog latch has a cam tail 291 and a lock tang 292 at opposite ends of the dog. Each tang is adapted to lock behind a valve body exterior flange 294 when the receptacle fitting and nozzle have been engaged such that the forward extent of barrel extension 66 abuts flange 294. In this position a gasket ring 296 of the extension seals between the extension and the valve body.

As the nozzle advances over the body the tangs 292 are moved arcuately outwardly by an upstream pull on lock sleeve 30 by means of lanyard 71. This outward movement is caused by a small displacement of sleeve tapered wall 286, camming cam tails 291 inwardly to lift the tangs sufficiently to allow the dogs to pass over the flange, at which point spring 284 urges the sleeve forwardly such that cylindrical surface 287 of the cam cavity impinges upon each dog and forces it downwardly behind the flange.

The nozzle is easily removed by displacing the lock sleeve by means of lanyard 71. As can be seen in FIG. 8, as the lock sleeve moves axially, surface 286 contacts cam lever 291 of each dog and surface 287 maintains the dogs in outward radial displacement so long as the pressure is maintained on the lanyard. It is therefore possible to remove the nozzle axially from the valve body.

The nozzle may be removed at any time after the tank is filled. Since man hours and effort are saved by not requiring an attendant to oversee the final filling stages, an automatic shut-off when the tank is properly filled is desirable. The inventive apparatus achieves automatic shut-off by the previously described pressure sensing unit 46 which is sensitive to a rise in nozzle back pressure. The rise is normally a sharp one engendered when sleeve valves 225 and 231 rise to close ports 26 of the elbow 24. Back pressure is transmitted from the elbow through the valve body and past the opened valve 22 of the receptacle fitting. A path to the sensing chamber from the interior of the valve body is established through face slot 108 of the nozzle valve head, the passage 50 and ducts 116, 117, into the sensing chamber above movable wall 130. The back pressure is sufficient to overcome spring 135 such that the pins of the latch assembly 155 are displaced from latched position against the valve stem shoulder 152. Due to the relative positions of the first and second cams of the manual valve opening assembly, the valve stem is free to move downstream under the urging of the bias spring 38 and the bias pressure of the liquid from the pressurized source, bringing shut-off valve 35 in registry with the surface of valve port 146, closing off flow through the nozzle from the source.

As mentioned before, shut-off prior to the rise of valve sleeves 225 and 231 can be accomplished by inward pressure on manual button 176, resulting in the same displacement of the latch assembly as is engendered by movement of wall 130.

While a diaphragm-suspended movable wall has been shown as illustrative of the invention, other types of movable walls may be used. For instance, in my copending application Ser. No. 872,148 entitled LIQUID TRANSFER AP- PARATUS WITH PRESSURE-SENSITIVE AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF NOZZLE, filed Oct. 29, 1969, a piston is shown within the sensing chamber operating to unlatch the valve stem in response to increased nozzle back pressure.

Other apparatus than that herein disclosed for locking the nozzle and receiver tube in place also may be used. Chordal lock pins retained by a reciprocable lock collar may used instead of latch dogs.

It is desirable to provide a lock release wherein a lanyard is fixed to the disconnect mechanism for easy nozzle removal. In military operations the lanyard 71 may be fixed to ground during refueling. The aircraft or vehicle being refueled may remove from the refueling site if necessary and the motion of the vehicle causes relative displacement between the nozzle and the fixed lock sleeve such as the nozzle and the receiver automatically part. Since the self-closing valves of the nozzle and the receptacle fitting respond immediately to the unjoining of those two members, no liquid or vapor loss occurs.

The fueling apparatus is closed both during operation and before and after. Therefore, military vehicles in danger zones may be refueled with motors running, such that instant removal is safe and convenient. Many of the tanks of military aircraft and vehicles are fabric with a low burst point such that the automatic shut-off of the inventive apparatus is a safeguard against tank damage.

The inventive apparatus also provides for those situations, both military and civil, where the nozzle of the invention is not available at the refueling locale. Any nozzle having a tubular discharge end may be used to fill the tank having the receiver of the invention. The receptacle fitting cylinder 61 has an auxiliary refueling aperture 300 opening to the tank interior. The cylinder encloses a manually revolvable sleeve 301 which surrounds the receiver tube. A sleeve aperture 303 is axially placed such that rotation of the drum within the cylinder brings aperture 303 into coincidence with refueling aperture 300 of the receptacle fitting. Any nozzle smaller than the diameter of the cylinder may then be thrust into the apertures 300 and 303 and the tank filled by an operator. The sleeve 301 has an inwardly protruding finger tab 304 by which the sleeve may be revolved within the cylinder.

After the tank is thus manually refilled, the drum may be revolved such that apertures 300 and 303 no longer coincide, closing the tank.

The filled level of the tank is conventionally below the receiver cup. Therefore, sleeve 301 need not be sealed with respect to the cylinder 61. The closed sleeve guards against tank contamination and prevents liquid loss from the sloshing of liquid within the tank. The closed drum and dust plug 52 effectively close the tank interior against contamination.

The maximum liquid level within the tank is determined in part by the bouyancy of the sleeve valves on the elbow extension and by the calibration of bias spring on the latch means. Each of these elements can be precisely calculated so that the automatic shut-ofi apparatus is actuated to cut off nozzle flow at the precise liquid level desired. The apparatus of the invention therefore enables an operator to attend more than one tank at the same time and guards both operator and the equipment against the hazards of fire and contamination.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for filling a tank with liquid wherein the tank has a fill port, the combination comprising: a receptacle fitting in the fill port of the tank, said receptacle fitting having a main flow outlet port into the tank interior and being equipped with a float-actuated valve to close said outlet port in response to rise in liquid level in the tank thereby to create back pressure to actuate said control means to close said shutoff valve; a noule adapted to releasably engage the receptacle fitting and mate therewith in a fluid-tight manner such that back pressure is transmitted to the nozzle from the receptacle fitting, said nozzle being in connection with a source of fluid under relatively high pressure, a shut-off valve incorporated in said nozzle to cut off discharge from the nozzle into the tank in response to rise in the liquid level within the tank to a predetermined point with a consequent rise in the back pressure in the nozzle; and control means for releasing said valve responsive to the rise in back pressure to close off the nozzle.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the receptacle fitting has a dependent outlet having main flow outlet ports and a float-actuated sleeve valve is movable to close the outlets.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said floatactuated sleeve valve embraces the dependent outlet and is urged into closing position about the outlet ports in response to a rise in liquid level within the tank.

4. In an apparatus for filling a tank with liquid wherein the tank has a fill port, the combination comprising: a receptacle fitting in the fill port of the tank, said receptacle fitting having a dependent outlet with an upright cylindrical wall with at least one radial port into the tank interior, and a float-actuated sleeve valve responsive to rise in liquid level in the tank thereby to create back pressure in said fitting, and in which said sleeve valve comprises a primary bouyant sleeve movable by float action from a lower position to an upper position closing the radial port, and ,a secondary sleeve carried by the primary sleeve, said secondary sleeve being bouyant and movable away from the primary sleeve to close the radial port if the primary sleeve fails to do so; a nozzle adapted to releasably engage the receptacle fitting and mate therewith in a fluid-tight manner such that back pressure is transmitted to the nozzle from the receptacle fitting, said nozzle being in connection with a source of fluid under relatively high pressure; a shut-off valve incorporated in said nozzle to cut off discharge from the nozzle into the tank in response to rise in the liquid level within the tank to a predetermined point with a consequent rise in the back pressure in the nozzle; and control means for said valve responsive to the rise in back pressure.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which the primary sleeve has an upwardly facing exterior shoulder,

and in which the secondary sleeve slidingly embraces the primary sleeve and normally rests on said shoulder. 

1. In an apparatus for filling a tank with liquid wherein the tank has a fill port, the combination comprising: a receptacle fitting in the fill port of the tank, said receptacle fitting having a main flow outlet port into the tank interior and being equipped with a float-actuated valve to close said outlet port in response to rise in liquid level in the tank thereby to create back pressure to actuate said control means to close said shutoff valve; a nozzle adapted to releasably engage the receptacle fitting and mate therewith in a fluid-tight manner such that back pressure is transmitted to the nozzle from the receptacle fitting, said nozzle being in connection with a source of fluid under relatively high pressure, a shut-off valve incorporated in said nozzle to cut off discharge from the nozzle into the tank in response to rise in the liquid level within the tank to a predetermined point with a consequent rise in the back pressure in the nozzle; and control means for releasing said valve responsive to the rise in back pressure to close off the nozzle.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the receptacle fitting has a dependent outlet having main flow outlet ports and a float-actuated sleeve valve is movable to close the outlets.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said float-actuated sleeve valve embraces the dependent outlet and is urged into closing position about the outlet ports in response to a rise in liquid level within the tank.
 4. In an apparatus for filling a tank with liquid wherein the tank has a fill port, the combination comprising: a receptacle fitting in the fill port of the tank, said receptacle fitting having a dependent outlet with an upright cylindrical wall with at least one radial port into the tank interior, and a float-actuated sleeve valve responsive to rise in liquid level in the tank thereby to create back pressure in said fitting, and in which said sleeve valve comprises a primary bouyant sleeve movable by float action from a lower position to an upper position closing the radial port, and a secondary sleeve carried by the primary sleeve, said secondary sleeve being bouyant and movable away from the primary sleeve to close the radial port if the primary sleeve fails to do so; a nozzle adapted to releasably engage the receptacle fitting and mate therewith in a fluid-tight manner such that back pressure is transmitted to the nozzle from the receptacle fitting, said nozzle being in connection with a source of fluid under relatively high pressure; a shut-off valve incorporated in said nozzle to cut off discharge from the nozzle into the tank in response to rise in the liquid level within the tank to a predetermined point with a consequent rise in the back pressure in the nozzle; and control means for said valve responsive to the rise in back pressure.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which the primary sleeve has an upwardly facing exterior shoulder, and in which the secondary sleeve slidingly embraces the primary sleeve and normally rests on said shoulder. 